Mexico Yet Again

The trip out of San Jose airport was too easy.
I purposely scheduled our arrival anticipating the clusterf*ck that is always going on at the airport and so we got to the baggage check ready to endure an extended session of kicking luggage down a never ending maze. But no line.
In fact, no people at all except a guy behind the United counter that took our luggage with obvious boredom and just a hint of disdain. This process took up only about two minutes out of my perfect plan and we're off to our appointment with TSA for a what I expect to be a severe probing before boarding the 'mother ship'. Again, no people. This whole episode may cause some inappropriate false hope when planning any future trips.

The up side; no crowds to contend with, the down side; we're through security in no time flat and now have two hours to kill. I spent the time thinking about how I would further my beer interests in Mexico. Should I try to brew beer this time like I have on previous visits, incorporating local ingredients, to come up with creative specialties? Or, simply search out the regional beer scene in the hopes of finding any new or unusual beer. The craft beer movement here is gaining interest now and I have to admit that I anticipate coming across some fresh start-up artisan breweries. Don't let me down Mexico. In either case, I brought some essential brewing gear just in case. Stuff that is hard to come by down here like my refractometer, racking cane, bottling wand, bottler, caps and a couple different types of dried yeast.
Seventeen hours later we arrived in San Miguel and checked into the Antigua Capilla bed and breakfast for a couple of days of well deserved spoilage. If you visit San Miguel I'd highly recommend this place. On the side of a hill with a panoramic view of the busy city, it's a haven for the weary and a great location for a quiet respite but within walking distance of the center of town.  The rooftop is a great place to have a beer and I spend some time relaxing and taking in the view.

I have some brewing equipment in the basement here, stored from the last time I was down. I still haven't made up my mind whether to brew but it's good to know I don't have to go through the effort of collecting equipment again. There is also some 2-row sealed in a plastic tub but it's close to two years old now. The plan is to chew on some of it and see if I can still use it.

Yesterday I looked over the apartment we will be living in for the next month and didn't see any easy access to propane and their isn't a lot of room for brewing so I won't be doing any there. It's funny, I keep telling myself I won't be brewing and yet my mind keeps going over all of the requirement to do just that. Weird.